Ilke De Boeck

Bioscience Engineer in Cell and Gene Technology
 

Ilke combines a strong scientific background with a passion for innovation. After studying at KU Leuven, she obtained a PhD from the Faculty of Applied Engineering at the University of Antwerp. She subsequently remained at the university as a postdoctoral researcher and project manager, focusing on microbiology, biotechnology and microbiome research. Through numerous collaborations with companies, she discovered how innovation thrives at the intersection of research and practice.
 

Since June 2026, she has been R&D Manager at Flanders’ FOOD, where she is responsible for the Personalised Foods & Healthy Diets and New & Shifting Resources programmes.
 

In her free time, Ilke enjoys staying active. She regularly goes running or mountain biking, or finds balance in a Pilates session. She loves spending time in nature, especially in the mountains.